Enter any address in Smith County, Tennessee to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Smith County, TN. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 25 recorded flash flood events compared to 7 general flood events. For example, flash flooding occurred during periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms in February 2021 and March 2020.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the most claims, with average payouts of $23,892 and $25,012 respectively. Zone X_SHADED also shows significant claims with an average payout of $19,146 and a notable average water depth of 11.2 feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X with an average payout of $16,039, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Smith County, Tennessee has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1975–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 8, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Tornado | Mar 25, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Tornado | Mar 3, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 19, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 27, 2017 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Feb 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 24, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 6, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 23, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 7, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2016 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Feb 27, 2021
Numerous showers and thunderstorms affected Middle Tennessee during the evening hours on February 27, then again during the afternoon and evening hours on February 28. Several storms became severe and produced damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Mar 24, 2020
Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours of March 24, including one supercell thunderstorm that tracked through Wayne and Lawrence Counties. Although no severe weather was reported, several incidents of flash flooding occurred.
Flood — Feb 5, 2020
After an unusually wet January, another strong storm system brought more heavy rainfall, flooding, and severe storms to parts of Middle Tennessee on February 5th. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms known as a QLCS (Quasi-linear Convective System) developed in northern Mississippi and moved across southern and eastern Middle Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours. These storms sp...
Flash Flood — Feb 6, 2019
Heavy rain and thunderstorms produced 2 tornadoes and widespread flash flooding across Middle Tennessee from the afternoon of February 6 through the early morning hours on February 7. A warm front that had moved northward into Kentucky early in the day on February 6 sank back southward to near the Interstate 40 corridor by the afternoon, sparking numerous showers and thunderstorms along and jus...
Flood — Dec 23, 2017
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain overspread Middle Tennessee from Friday, December 23, 2017 into Saturday, December 23, 2017. Total rainfall amounts ranged from 1 inch up to 4 inches across the area, with the highest amounts in northwest Middle Tennessee. Several reports of flooding were received.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Smith County, Tennessee:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Smith County, Tennessee that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.